Season: 1
Episode: 19
Title: Let Bartlet be Bartlet
Airdate: April 26, 2000
Story by: Peter Parnell and Patrick Caddell
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
Directed by: Laura Innes
Summary
Rumors abound about a scathing memo that outlines the weaknesses of President Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) administration for his political rival and grip the White House, until C.J. (Allison Janney) learns it came from Mandy(Moira Kelly), who confirms that she wrote it while working for the other side. Now in someone else's possession, C.J. finally tracks it down to one reporter and tries to dissuade him from publishing it.
Meanwhile, Sam (Rob Lowe) and Toby (Richard Schiff) meet with opposing military officers and congressmen to discuss amending the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy towards gays in the armed forces. They're given a little assistance by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Fitzwallace (John Amos).
When two members of the Federal Election Commission resign, Josh (Bradley Whitford) sees opportunity and moves fast to meet with contentious senator's staffers to suggest that the President appoint two campaign finance reformers as replacements instead of those wanted by the Senate leadership.
Leo (John Spencer) not only has trouble with the White House's faulty e-mail system, he confronts the President and issues a challenge that could define or destroy his administration.
Quotes:
"What the hell were you waiting for?. . . Everything you do says 'For God's sake, Leo, I don't want to be a one-term President.' You dangle your feet and I'm the hall monitor around here. It's my job to make sure nobody runs too fast or goes off too far. . . . You ever told me to get aggressive about anything, I'd say 'I serve at the pleasure of the President' . . . . These people who would walk into fire if you told them to. . . . Everyone's waiting for you. I don't know how much longer." - Leo McGarry
"I don't want to feel like this any longer."- Pres. Bartlet
"You don't have to. . . ."- Leo McGarry